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LENSGO has introduced the TCQI 8 Pocket, a compact teleprompter made for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Osmo Pocket 4. It pairs an 8-inch reading area with a magnetic mounting system, a handheld grip, and a Bluetooth remote. Gimbal cameras of this size rarely get dedicated prompting gear, so let’s take a look at what the kit includes.
The TCQI 8 Pocket puts an 8-inch (20.3cm) HD screen in front of the camera, so the presenter can read a script while looking into the lens. According to LENSGO, a magnetic design speeds up setup, and the unit works both handheld with the included grip and on a tripod. The script runs in the company’s free TCQI app on iOS and Android devices, which controls scrolling speed, font size, and playback, and a Bluetooth remote is in the box for control during a take. LENSGO also includes accessories for smartphone and laptop webcam setups, so the teleprompter is not limited to the Osmo Pocket.
We reviewed the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for documentary work, and we covered the launch of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 earlier this year. The Pocket 4P also went through our lab, where it beat the ARRI ALEXA 35 in one of our tests (you can read the full Lab Test of the Osmo Pocket 4P for details). With image quality at that level, more creators use these small cameras for talking-head content, interviews, and vlogs, which is the market LENSGO targets with the TCQI 8 Pocket.
Most compact teleprompters are designed around smartphones or small mirrorless cameras. The TCQI 8 Pocket is built for the Osmo Pocket form factor instead, and the kit includes a DJI protective cover for the camera. According to the user guide, the housing is made of ABS and polycarbonate. In one of its launch videos, LENSGO describes the reading glass as “crystal clear”, and they give a 75% light transmission figure for the glass.
LENSGO positions the teleprompter for outdoor vlogging, talking-head videos, interviews, travel videos, and presentations. The company describes the unit as compact and lightweight, but it does not list a weight or dimensions in the product text. A specifications graphic on the product page may carry these numbers, but they are not available as text.
The magnetic design is the main setup feature. The kit includes a magnetic ring, and LENSGO says the components attach magnetically to reduce assembly time before recording. The Osmo Pocket slides into the grip, and a magnetic cover snaps over it. For vertical video, the user opens the cover, rotates the Pocket’s screen, and closes the cover again. The company’s FAQ advises users to follow the instructions to attach the relevant parts correctly before they record.
For handheld shooting, the included grip holds the camera and teleprompter as one unit. For static setups, the kit includes a mini tripod, and LENSGO says the teleprompter also works “with a compatible mounting setup” on other tripods. The product page does not state the thread size of the mounting point.
For handheld shooting, I am a little worried it might be extremely top-heavy to hold the Pocket / prompter / smartphone combo, because you can’t really touch it at the front. But in case we get our hands on a review unit, I will report back if that is really a concern. In general, I think it’s a very smart concept for an ever-evolving camera ecosystem – the Osmo Pocket line – that gains more traction every day.
Script control runs through the TCQI app. The app sets the scrolling speed and the font size and starts or stops playback. The included Bluetooth remote controls “supported teleprompter functions” during recording, so the presenter does not need to touch the smartphone that shows the text. The remote has buttons for start and pause, fast page up and down, left and right, and an LED light. LENSGO says the app supports “compatible iOS and Android devices” but does not list minimum operating system versions; the company asks users to check the app listing for device requirements.
Besides the Osmo Pocket parts, the kit includes a laptop clip cover. LENSGO says the TCQI 8 Pocket “also includes accessories for compatible smartphone and laptop webcam setups”. With these parts, the same unit can work as a prompter for video calls, livestreams, or recorded presentations on a laptop. The product page does not say which smartphone sizes fit, but from what we can tell looking at the images, it should also accommodate larger phones.
The package includes the TCQI 8 Pocket teleprompter, a grip, a DJI protective cover, a laptop clip cover, a magnetic ring, a Bluetooth remote, and a mini tripod.
The LENSGO TCQI 8 Pocket is available at B&H for $88, where it is listed as a special order item. Euro and British pound pricing has not been announced yet. For more information, please visit the LENSGO website.
Do you read from a teleprompter when you shoot talking-head content with a small gimbal camera, or do you prefer to work from notes? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
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Nino Leitner, AAC is Co-CEO of CineD and MZed. He co-owns CineD (alongside Johnnie Behiri), through his company Nino Film GmbH. Nino is a cinematographer and producer, well-traveled around the world for his productions and filmmaking workshops. He specializes in shooting documentaries and commercials, and at times a narrative piece. Nino is a studied Master of Arts. He lives with his wife and two sons in Vienna, Austria.